Fort Walton Beach, a small beach-side city in western Florida, was recently recognized as one of the greatest in the country for veteran businesses. Over the last few years the city hosted an entrepreneurial program focused on veterans that proved to be a big success, according to Stars and Stripes. The result is Fort Walton Beach's ranking as the 10th best city for veteran-developed businesses or first careers in their life after service.
A half-million dollars was set aside for the program by the city council, in addition to seven $25,000 grants offered in conjunction with Venture Hive, an entrepreneurship education company based out of Miami. No restrictions were put on the veterans when it came to developing a business which qualified for a grant.
The city is close to Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, where more than 17,000 servicemembers are currently stationed. Ted Corcoran, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, told NWF Daily News that "We have a great availability of military folks who love being stationed here, and want to stay. If they retire here, they often make the transition to a second career by starting a business."
Mike Anderson, the city's mayor, echoed that sentiment. "Our veterans have such talent and such a great work ethic," he told the news site, "and we really pride ourselves on being a military- and veteran-friendly community."
The survey to recognize the best American cities for veteran businesses, commissioned in part by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program, found that Asheville, North Carolina provided the most support and achieved the most success. Other Florida cities that made the top 10 include Sarasota at No. 2, West Palm Beach at No. 3, and Fort Lauderdale at No. 8.